The GIANTS would like to congratulate one of the league's longest-serving players on a remarkable career, with inaugural AFLW player Katherine Smith announcing her retirement from the game.
One of the true trailblazers of the competition, Smith was selected by the Demons in the inaugural AFLW Draft in 2016, helping to lay the foundations for the league in its formative years.
Following four seasons and 21 games in Melbourne colours, the tough and versatile defender joined the GIANTS, where she would go on to play some of the most damaging and influential football of her career.
Coming into her debut GIANTS season off a torn ACL injury, Smith showed her trademark resilience and professionalism from the outset. Her ability to play across multiple roles in defence, combined with her physicality and composure, quickly made her an integral part of the orange and charcoal side.
A natural leader in the game, Smith served as vice-captain in 2024, setting the standard with her relentless work ethic, strong on-field communication and unwavering commitment to team-first football, while also playing a significant role in mentoring younger players coming through the program.
Smith’s consistency and influence were further reflected in her strong Club Champion results, finishing third in the 2024 count before backing it up with a fifth-place finish in 2025.
The 27-year-old calls time on her career having played 78 games across two clubs, leaving behind a legacy as both a competitor and one of the league’s most respected advocates.
Smith said via a statement shared to the club’s social media account:
“I’m retiring because I'm happy in my life and within myself.
“I have a beautiful family, partner that I love, two dogs that bring us so much joy, a job that I'm inspired by and a curiosity for life I haven’t experienced before.
“While debatably I am in the prime of my football career, I am also in the prime of my life. A life that I have put on hold for countless years while I gave my AFL my all.
“I am walking away with great pride in having been an AFLW player for 10 seasons, fighting for better conditions, speaking up about topics that matter and helping develop the next generation of players.
“To the GIANTS and the Demons, thank you for giving me an opportunity to live out my childhood dream. To everyone I have met along the way and the memories we have shared, I am grateful for crossing paths with you all the along the way.
“To my parents Lynette and Craig, my brother Lachlan and sister-in-law Katherine, my partner Nikola, and my closest friends, thank you for your endless support and patience along the journey. I am so excited to have the opportunity to show up more meaningfully for you all, as you have always shown up for me.
Executive General Manager of AFLW, Alison Zell praised Smith’s impact on and off the field.
“From the very beginning of AFLW, Katherine has been a leader, a competitor and a powerful advocate for the game,” Zell said.
“She was part of the inaugural AFLW Draft and has played a genuine role in shaping what the competition is today, not only through her football but through her willingness to speak up, challenge standards and help create better environments for those who follow.
“We congratulate Katherine on an outstanding career and thank her for her contribution to not only our club, but to the AFLW, and we wish her every success in the next chapter.”
